‘Hold the Heathen Hammer High’: representation, re-enactment and the construction of ‘Pagan’ heritage

Abstract

Viking Metal, Pagan Metal and their relatives represent subgenres of Black and Folk Metal characterised by their historical and mythological references, their incorporation of folk melodies alongside traditional music and instruments, and the use of contemporary material culture and dress. Like earlier folk-rock traditions, these subgenres have often steered an interesting course between the hedonistic tendencies which can accompany rock music (the ‘rock “n” roll lifestyle’) and an educational role: metal as heritage and specifically as heritage interpretation. In this paper, the authors explore these various connections through conversations with members of two prominent bands (Týr and Heidevolk) who gave research seminars at the University of York in 2012 and 2013. The connections between music making, landscape, performativity and narration are prominent in both cases, and form the basis of this study.

Keywords:

• pagan metal
• intangible cultural heritage
• education
• material culture
• folk music

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Týr and Heidevolk for agreeing to participate in our ‘Metal Friday’ events at the University of York, and to continue the conversation with us afterwards. Thanks also to the staff, students and members of the public who made up the audience for these talks, to the University of York’s Department of Archaeology for funding the visits, and to Jim and Cat Glazzard from Asgaard Promotions, who made it all happen, and helped with the supply of images. Finally, we are indebted to Paul Graves-Brown, Yvette Staelens and two anonymous referees for their thoughtful comments on an earlier version of this paper.